Sheet stacking and conveying machine



w. w. WAGNER, JR, m-AL 2,540,972

SHEET STACKING AND CONVEYING MACHINE Feb. 6, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 24, 1948 INVENTORS WI By [M B M LOW, w,&u;41 4022...

wwwlo w. w. WAGNER, JR., ET AL 2,540,972

SHEET STACKING AND CONVEYING MACHINE Feb. 6, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1948 LUM,M,M0;LM

Feb. 6, 1951 w. w. WAGNER, JR, ET AL SHEET STACKING AND CONVEYING MACHINE '10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 24, 1948 0450, ewe, M Q

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SHEET STACKING AND CONVEYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1948 2 l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 6, 1951 w. w. WAGNER, JR, ETAL 2,540,972

SHEET STACKING AND CONVEYING MACHINE 1O Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 24, 1948 wad, M,M [0m Feb. 6, 1951 w. w. WAGNER, JR, ETAL SHEET STACKIANG AND CONVEYING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Feb. 24, 1948 Mar/r61 '1 I II II I LOW (P Cg Feb. 6, 1951 I w. w. WAGNER, JR, ET AL 0,

SHEET STACKING AND CONVEYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 0W U- ow, M4? M -4 1 B ML 60%, M, M A 6047;-

#a/IQFS Feb. 6, 1951 w. w. WAGNER, JR, ETIAL 2,540,972

SHEET STACKING AND CONVEYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 0.11, we, W loan... 5/ 14/450,;

Feb. 6, 1951 w. w. WAGNER, JR, ET AL 2,540,972

SHEET STACKING AND CONVEYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Aflamew Patented Feb. 6, 1951 SHEET STAGKING AND CONVEYING MACHINE Wilmer W. Wagner, Jr., and Henry B. Greenwood, Baltimore, Md., assignors to Samuel M. Langston Company, Camden, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 24, 1948, Serial No. 10,284

30 Claims.

This invention relates to conveyors and more particularly to conveyors for transporting and stacking sheet material and to automatic and manual controlling means for such conveyors.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved machine for receiving successive sheets of material, stacking them in piles each containing a predetermined number of sheets, and delivering the piles to a desired destination for storage, shipment, or use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved machine of the class described which is mainly automatic in operation, which is provided with adjustable means for determining the number of units to be placed in each pile, and which is adapted for handling sheets of various sizes.

The present invention is particularly applicable to the receiving and stacking of severed sheets of corrugated board from a corrugating machine. The conventional machine for making corrugated paper board includes shears and slitter knives for cutting the freshly fabricated board into sheets of various sizesin accordance with the demands of the consumers. These corrugating machines run at a very rapid rate and difliculty has been experienced in the past in providing satisfactory high-speed automatic mechanism for handling and delivering the subdivided sections of the paper board as they come from the severing knives.

In common with the invention described in our copending application Serial No. 667,180, filed May 3, 1946, this invention involves basically the provision of a conveying and stacking machine which is almost completely automatic in operation, and which is arranged to receive the severed units, stack a specified number of them in piles, and transfer the completed piles toward the delivery end of the machine. A plurality of piling areas or zones are provided which are used in alternation, the sheets being received and stacked at one of such zones while one or more previously completed piles are being removed from others of such stacking zones. Automatic means are provided for shifting the delivery of units from one of the stacking points to the other in accordance with the number of sheets wanted in a stack, and the rate of delivery of the piles from the machine is synchronized with the rate of operation of the corrugator. Means are also provided for throwing out defective sheets before they can be forwarded to the pile being formed.

The present invention, however, presents several novel and improved features peculiar to itself and among them may be mentioned the following:

The invention contemplates the provision of a multiple stacking machine embodying novel structural and operational features facilitating the high-speed counting, stacking, and delivery of sheets of different dimensions from a plu rality of sources such as corrugated board making machines or shears. Specifically, the arrangement consists of a dual or multiple system of sheet conveyors, preferably of the endless tape type, each providing alternately usable convergent paths leading to separate stacrnng areas upon which stacks are alternately formed for delivery to convenient points for storage, shipment, packing, or use. According to the present invention, the multiple stacking devices are integrated in a novel way into a compact organization, the units being partly superposed and partly in tandem, whereby the various operative elements will not interfere with each other, and the delivery conveyors of the entire mechanism may discharge the stacks at substantially the same level.

Another advantageous feature of the assembly, according to the present invention, is the provision of a discard conveyor system adapted to collect defective sheets or articles-such as loose-backs in the case of corrugated board handlingfrom all of the stacking units and discharge them at a common delivery point.

Another important feature of the invention is the partl automatic and partly manual system of controls provided for both the normal running of the machine and for the rejection and diverting of defective articles. These provisions include the automatic switch-over from one piling area to another when a stack of a predetermined number of articles is completed, this switch-ever being accomplished by means of' electrically operated counting devices which may be of any suitable o known type, but which are associated in a novel way for application to the problems peculiar to the functioning and purposes of the present invention. For example, novel means are provided for regularly and automatically shifting over the operation of the diverting member which distributes the articles to the alternately used stacking areas, the actuation of the respective hold-down devices associated with each of such areas, and the actuation of the carry-on conveyors at each of the areas for the discharge or delivery of the completed stacks, the operation of all of said means being under the control of the passage of the successive arti-v progress, and either cancel out the incomplete countwhich will result in a stack 'of fewer articles upon the instant stacking-areao'r temporarily suspend the count whereby the'compl'e tion of the interrupted pile will be resumed when the discarding diversion is completed.

Other features of the invention include the provision of novel fiuid pressure means ior i'n'oving the shiftable elements of the machine, novel step ce'vieesrcr' the menses-the stacking con veyors, improved counterbalanced stack discharging c'eilveyors, marque hold do'w'n devices, and nov-el arrangements details "of the vari- -Fiirther iijects and fieatures "of novelty will be apparent rom the renewing specification tvhen reauinecn eeuon withth e accompanyingdrawih'gs in which certain embodiments of the invan on are illustrated-by wayofexample.

the-grav ta Figure 1 is 'adiagra'rhrnatioview in side elevatiijn-oi an installation "embodying the principles rr mrsnuon;

Figure 2 "is a diagrammatic plan :view or the installation Figureb is a partial top plan view on'an enlarged scale-of a *porticn of the-installation, the extent of which is indicatedby thebracket designated 'III'in Figure 2;

Figure lisa'partialside elevational View on an enlarged scale of the portion indicated by the bracket designated IV in Figure 1; parts of the machine broken away;

f igi re ii is a partial'viewin' sid'e'elevation-similar' to- Figure l, but covering the area designated v -gure 1, '-par'ts or "the machine "also being away in this view for clarity f illustrae Figure Q is a'vertical transverse sectional View tfaLke'nbhliiidJ -Q of Figure Ti rail) is a vertical"transverse sectional View non iine-l ill-- ofFigure 5;

Figure l l is a verticaltransverse sectional View Figure 12 is a view substantially in horizontal seetion'taken on line i-2i2 of Figure 19;

Figure lBis'a'fragmentaryview in sicle'elevationofthe discharge end of a delivery conveyor for completed piles;

Figure 14 is afragmentary sectional view taken on line I l-I i of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a fragmentaryand' partly diagrammatic-elevation of the machine as viewed 'at'the Figure 16 is a diagrammatic View of the installation showing the various controlling devices and including wiring diagrams.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the principal units and subdivisions-oi tliei'inprcve'd stacking machine will be described-in a general way and the correlated functions thereof set forth. In Figure 1 the two superposed and longitudinally offset stacking unitsaredesignated respectively by the reference characters I and II, and the principal operative assemblies or subdivisions will be indicated by capital letters, the letters applied to the parts ofuiiitfi'beingprimed. As previously indicated, 15

the'installatioh' of the two units, in a single supporting frame and having provisions for discharging compIeted piles of sheets from one side of the machine at substantially the same level, andmea'n's for discarding rejected or defective sheets at a single point at one end of the machine, comprise important features of the invention.

The stacking machine is adaptedt'o receive sheets sand 8 from cutting knives or shears- A and "A" which are adapted to sever tlie'siie'ets s and s fromco'nti'nuous webs w and w as they come from a fabricating machine which ma be disposed beyond the left hande'n'd "of Figure 1. Theshears A and A may 'beparts of the'fabrieating machine itself, or theymay comprise 'a separate machine supported by its'o'wn frame In any event, the arrangement is such that the receiving conveyors of V thestacking machine are directly associated with the shears or out-'- ters Aand A, and may ifconvenient be partly supported from and derive their driving "force,

from i the -f abricating-machine or the shears. V

' General arrangement The principal operative subdivisions of the.

stacking machine proper are as follows: the 'interniitteritly shiftable diverting or distributing devicesB and Bf; the stacking z'ones'C a'nd Cfl; thepiledelivery conveyor installations'D and DC;

the discharge or delivery conveyor systemE'tor rejectsor discards -t'he table F forreceivingsuch discards; and themainsupporting framework-Gr Fromfihe shear Afthe sheets are movedby means of the cooperating tapes of belt conveyors a and b toward the distributingor diverting members indicated at Beyond the diverting or distributing device-B, the sheets may take two confining tapes-c; w hile if the distributor-Bis in its upwardposition, thesheets; are passed -be tween the "tapeor belt conveyors dand c. From the lower course the sheets are deposited in stacked formation upon the stacking areaf, the

sheets" being stoppedat the proper points according to their length by means of the adjustable stop --mem-ber g, and the pile being :steadied and the; formation thereof facilitated-by the holddown'member y "wh n the distributor device s delivers the sheets 7 between the conveyors d and i e the sheets are deposited upon the upper stacking'areaj V where they :are stopped by the upper portion of delivery end, and showing "the delivery 'conthe stop-member .g; andcome under theinfluence of the: hold-down device is. A staclr pis shown upon the upper levl of thedistributing area 7' in-Figure-L The stacking areas 1 and each comprise a series of parallel driven rollers-the axes-of which extend longitud-inally of the (machine; whereby substantially the same level.

upon rotation of the rollers the piles which are formed upon the areas and 7' are moved laterally of the machine and deposited upon the delivery conveyors D.

The general arrangement and operation of the stacking machine is similar to the one illustrated in the above mentioned copending application, and it will be understood that the distributor, diverting, or switching device B is automatically moved to and from its two operative positions in accordance with the number of sheets which it is desired to deliver consecutively to a given stacking area to form a pile. In a manner generally similar to that described in the copending application, the conveyors comprising the stacking areas 3 and j are also driven in alternation so that a stack or pile previously formed on one of the areas may be discharged laterally upon one portion of the delivery conveyor assembly D while a pile is being formed on the other area while it is in an idle condition.

The lower unit II receives sheets 5' from the shear A which is adapted to sever the continuous web w into predetermined lengths controlled by the relative speeds of the web and the shear blades. The sheets are moved between conveyor members a and b. The upper or hold-down conveyor member b2 terminates adjacent the diverter or switch B, but the lower member a2 continues onward toward the piling area. When the diverter or switch element B is in the lower position, the sheets pass between the further portion of the conveyor a2 and the hold-down tapes 173 from whence they are delivered to the lower stacking area f, the position of the sheets being determined by the stop member g and the holddown it. On the other hand, when the diverters B are in the upper position, the sheets pass between the conveyors d and e. From this relatively short section, the sheets pass between conveyor members 12 and e2 from whence they normally fall upon the stacking area 7" of the stacking zone C, being under the control of the backstop member g and adapted to be acted upon by the hold-down member is.

The conveyor rollers comprising the stacking areas I and a" are alternately actuated to deliver the piles laterally to the delivery conveyor assemblies D, in the same Way as the corresponding elements operate in the stacking unit I. Although the areas f and a" of unit II are considerably lower than the corresponding areas 1' and 7' of the unit I, the delivery conveyor systems D and D are provided with novel features which eiTeot delivery from all of the stacking areas at This will be described in detail at a later point in the specification.

An inspection of Figure 1 will show that economy of space is effected by the novel interrelation of the two units I and II wherein the sheets follow'a single path for a good percentage of their travel in the lower unit II particularly while they are beneath the dual alternative stacking areas comprising the section C of unit I. The diverter or switch 13' of unit number II is disposed toward the remote end of the stacking unit C of unit I so that the alternate paths of the second unit do not diverge widely until they reach a point beyond the first stacking area C; and the stacking area C of the unit II with its two levels f and y" is afforded adequate space well beyond the end of the stacking areas of the first unit. This arrangement, together with the novel delivery assemblies D and D, not only af- 6. fords adequate room for the operation of the two units which may receive sheets from two fabricating machines, but also lays the basis for the provision of a common discard or reject delivery system which will now be described in a general wav.

The mating conveyors d and e of unit I and the conveyor sections 22 and e2 of the unit II are pivoted adjacent their receiving ends so that the remote ends may be raised from the lower normal position in which they deliver sheets to the upper stacking areas 9' and :i, to a discarding position whereby defective sheets may be diverted to the discard conveyor system E from which they may be discharged upon discard table F. The conveyors d and e of unit I discharge their discards or rejects upon the conveyor 1 which is carried by the uppermost portion of the main supporting frame G and terminates adjacent the point m upon the lower portion of the frame above the stacking area C of the unit II. The mating conveyor sections (22 and e2 of unit 11 are similarly pivoted adjacent their receiving ends so that the discharge end may be raised from the normal lower operative position in which sheets are discharged upon the upper staclcing level 9" of the: stacking assemblies C of unit II. In the raised. position of these conveyors, the sheets are directed upon a discard conveyor 11. which passes beyond the end point m of the upper conveyor Z and terminates at the point 7' where it discharges upon the table F. The discards from the conveyor Z may fall upon the conveyor it beyond the point m and discards from both units are discharged at the point r from the conveyor n. Thus, by the staggered or ofiset arrangement of the units, a common discharge system for rejects, or for by-passing normal sheets under certain conditions, is afforded.

Sheet distributor and stacker Proceeding now to the consideration of the mechanism in more detail, particularly as shown in the successive Figures 4 and 5 together with the detailed Figures 6 and 7,,the construction and arrangement of the earlier stages of unit I will be described and explained. At the extreme left hand end of Figure l of the drawings a portion of the shear supporting sub-frame X is shown, this frame carrying the roller 26 upon which the tapes of the conveyor a are adapted to run. Conveyor a may be traced across the middle of Figure 4 to the roller 22 carried on the shaft 23 mounted on bracket 2% secured to the uprights 25 forming parts of the main frame G. Horizontal frame elements 2? extend between the uprights 25 and the posts 28 and then continue past the uprights 25 and terminate at the end posts 39 of the framework. The horizontal members 23' carry an idler roller 32 which lends support to the tapes or belts of the conveyor a. Another idler 32 is carried by another portion of the frame, for example the posts 29, and also aids supporting the conveyor a. The tapes a are trained around the roller 33 fixed on a cross shaft 3"! supported by the brackets 36 and then around the roller 35 which is carried by the brackets 36, these brackets being suitably secured to adjacent portions of the framework G. The remainder of the return length of the conveyor a may be traced to the left hand end of Figure 4., and thence by reference to Figure 1.

The hold-down conveyor 5 which cooperates with the conveyor a to guide the sheets from the shear A, is fragmentarily shown at the left hand two conveyors by this arrangement.

7 shaft 7 end of Figure l, :the tapes comprisin the conveyor' 'o-passing around the roller 38 fixed one shaft-39 carried by the bracket 39""secured to the post '38.

The hold-downtapes c arezclearly shown superposed above the portion of the conveyor a in Figure 5i, these tapes being trained about the roller lo which is carried by the rods or struts 4| secured as at 42 to the posts 29. The tapes of the'conveyor c are passed around the roller 43 fixed on a transverse'shaft 44 which is-rotatably mounted upon suitable brackets carried by the framework so'that the tapes 0 cooperate with the tapes :of the conveyor a in passing the sheets along the lowercourse of the unit I toward the stacking zone C. lhe conveyor d and the holddown means e are also tape or belt conveyors carried respectively by rollers mounted at the ends of the strutsl and-d6, these struts being pivoted respectively at the points 4'! and 48. At the left hand ends of the conveyors d and e the tapes'are-carriedabout rollers-49 and 50 respectively-mounted upon shafts '5! and 5| rotatably=carried by the framework. It will be noted that the lower run of the conveyor tapes d is bent around the roller-53 which carries the tapes 0 and some driving force may be 'asserted between the However, a belt or chain drive is provided for all of these conveyors-which will be described presently.

It will be recalled that adjacent the diversion point B the :path of the sheets through the unit I divides,-the lower course being between the upper run of-the conveyor a and the lower run of the conveyor 0, and the upper course being between the respective upper and lower runs of the conveyors d :and'e. These points of entry between the respective mating pairs of conveyors will be clearly observed at the'left hand side of Figure 4, and even more clearly in the enlarged View of Figure 6. Thesheets s of course, emerge from between the upper runof the first position of conveyorc and the lower run of the conveyor 1) to the leftiof the posts 3%. At this point they pass between the lower set of blades 52 and the upper blades of the diverter mechanism B. These lowerhlades are seouredto the cross shaft 54 supported in hearings in the main supporting frame and the upper blades 53 are fixed to the upper The shaftsi and E55 have crank arms 5% and secured to end portions thereof outside oi -the "path of the sheets, and these stub crank arms are'counected by means of the link 5% for parallelmovement. In Figure 6 the blades their upper position and it will be seen i that the-curved lips at the remote ends thereof are so positioned that the sheets is guided accurately bctween'theflights d and e and are thus be gdivertec. to the upper stacking area 7' of unit I. i will be clearly unde'stood that when the bladesiiZ and- 53 of the diverter B are moved to the lower positiointhe sheets will be diverted 7 along the upper run of the conveyor a and betends from a piston working in thecompressed air cylindertl carried by the upper horizontal channel member E2 oi the frame G. This fluid pressurezactuated piston rod 60 is forced up- 7 connection-166.

wardlvior dow wardly dep d n 'up wh r nd (if-th cy nd r ti t e upp y of fluid ur -is admitted to, said fluid pressure being supplied from the pipe 63 leading from the line'Z. A solenoid operated valvefit directs the pressure either to the upper end-of the cylinder 6| through the connection -01 to-the lower end through the Asolenoid 16 is disposed at the upper-end ofthe valve -54 and the solenoid H is disposed-at the lower end of the valve and each one is energized at the proper time in accordance with the automatic controls to be described later.

A switch actuating-arm l2 extends fromthe diver-tel actuating linkage 58, 60 and is adapted co-alternatively actuate the spaced limit switches Hi and is when the diverter blades are in their respective uppermost and --lowern1ost positions. The connections and functions of these limit switches also will be described-in"eon-nection-with the-automatic controls of the machine.

Referring now more particularly to the right handside ofEigureeand to-Figure 5 of the drawings, it; will beseen that thesheets are discharged the end of conveyor'a-where the conveyor tapes-pass around the end roller 22, onto the will be described in greater detail as the specification proceeds.

The rollers 88 of the stacking'area' farerotatably mounted in bearings 81 carriedas bymeans' cit-brackets e2 secured to a portion of the frame G. The opposite ends of the rollers '88 are similarly inountedior rotation in suitablysupportad s 83. At the 'latter end of the stackin there is secured'as by brackets to, the drive motor which is preferably 'anelectric motor having a pulley or sprockettt upon the shaftthereof. Each of the rollers-ware provided with epair or sprockets 8's. rip-drive chain -88 connects the motor sprocket-88 with thesprocl-ret til oi the first roller :88 and each of the rollers '88 are connected'to an adjacent roller by-means of shortchains' iii}. By this means all of-the rollers cc ofthestacking area a are driven-in the same direction by the rnoto'r' 35. The means for energizing the-motor todrivdthe lateral conveyors w-hichu'coniprise the'stacking area f in properly timed relation with the operation of the other parts of the machine, will be described in cons nectionwith the-operation of thewhole device.

As the sheets pass over the endroller 22 of the conveyor a-theycare pressed downwardly and guided to some'degree by means of the transversely extending bearing roller 98 which is :car-

right members 25 of the frame G as by means ofthebrackets 193. The bearing roller-odds prefl erably-madeof aluminum which is a relatively light and soft-metal, and thus damageto the sheets is minimized as theystrike the roller and passbetween it and. the tapes of the conveyor a adjacentithe rollerZZ.

I An electric-switch 5-is secured to the-bracket '82 and has an actuating finger or feeler Sit which projects upvvarciy bey nd -th'e:1'eve1 or thefiroliis 80 so as to be moved downwardly from the position shown in Figure 5 whenever sheets begin piling up on the stacking area f. The function of this switch will be described later.

Sheets which are directed along the upper course of unit I by means of the diverters B pass from between the conveyors d and e at the right hand end thereof at the points where the tapes of these conveyors pass around the end rollers 93 and 99. When the conveyors are in the position shown in Figures 4 and 7 of the drawings the sheets s are directed over the feed roller I fixed on the shaft IIiI which is rotatably carried by a bracket secured to the uprights or posts 25. An aluminum bearer roll I02 carried by end brackets I03 pivoted upon the rock shaft I 04 supported upon the brackets I05 carried by the posts 25, bears downwardly upon the sheets in a manner similar to the roll 90 described in connection with the lower piling arrangement. As the sheets s issue from between the rollers I00 and I02 they fall upon the stacking area 7 which comprises the rollers 80 which are rotatably mounted in the bearings SI and 83 in exactly the same way as the rollers 80 of the lower tier. An end one of the rollers BI) forms a terminal roller of the upper delivery conveyor t of the delivery assembly D. The driving motor 85 furnishes power to the rollers through the transmission 86, 5?, I38, as described in connection with the stacking area f. A switch 95 having an actuating finger 96 is provided at the left hand end of the area 7' similar to the elements designated by the unprimed numbers in connection with the other area.

The backstop member g is provided for limiting the movement of the sheets s on the stack ing areas 7 and 7' and forming the further limit of pile p formed upon either of these areas. This stop device is best shown in Figures 5 and 11 of the drawings. The depending portion III] of the device g comprises a lower stop wall H2 and an upper stop wall H3 extend transversely of the rollers 80 and 80 of the two stacking areas and provide means against which the sheets s forming the pile p abut. The ends of the walls or boards H2 and H3 are secured to the depnding posts II4 and H5. The post H4 is offset inwardly, as clearly shown in Figure 10, so as to pass between the end roller and the next to the end roller of the roller series 80 of the upper area 7. This is done so as to prevent the post or upright II 4 from interfering with the tapes of the upper delivery conveyor 15, which pass around the end one of the rollers 80'. A transverse connection II4 connects the upper end of the post II 4 with the carriage H6 disposed for longitudinal movement upon a channel side frame member Ill forming an upper portion of the framework G. The depending post or upright H5 at the opposite side of the machine is connected directly to the carriage H6 which rides upon the channel beam III as clearly shown in Figure 11. Each of the carriages H6 and H6 comprise flanged rollers I iii the flanges of which embrace the upper flanges of the channel tracks Ill and III. Along the outer faces of the webs of the channels II! and Ill there are secured the horizontal racks I and the teeth of these racks are adapted to be engaged by those of the pinions I2I carried by the cross shaft I22 rotatably supported in the carriages H6 and II 6. Upon extreme outer end of the shaft I22 there is keyed a drive sprocket I25 with which meshes an endlessdrive chain I 26. The drive chain I26 is trained around the sprockets I21 and I28 rotatably mounted in suitable brackets such as indicated at I29 preferably carried by the posts 25 and I30 of the framework G. A shaft I3I extends from the sprocket I2! across the machine to the delivery side thereof, which is the side at which the operator stands, and upon the end of the shaft I2'I there is secured a hand wheel I32, The lower run of the chain I25 which meshes with the teeth of the sprocket I25 is held in engagement with the sprocket by means of the guide shoe I33 suitably secured to the backstop assembly I I0 and properly spaced from the sprocket I25. The upper or idle run of the chain I25 is loosely supported by the angle bracket I35 as shown in Figure 11. If desired suitable graduations may be marked along the rack I20 or the channel I I! and it will be readily understood that by rotation of the hand wheel I32 the chain I25 will be moved in either direction to travel the carriages I I 5 and II Ii along the framework to position the stop elements H2 and I I3 at the proper points depending upon the length of the sheets to be stacked.

In order to properly confine the sheets as they are being stacked and also to insure that they register at their forward ends against the stop plates I I2 and I I3 there is provided in association with each of the stacking area f and 7' the holddown devices It and is. These devices are very similar in construction and comprise substantially short belt conveyor assemblies I and I40 the tapes I4I of which are trained about the rollers I42 and I42 and I43 and I43. The rollers I42 and I42 are fixed on shafts I44 and I44 rotatably mounted in brackets carried by the posts 25, and the rollers I43 and I43 are rotatably and preferably adjustably mounted upon the ends of the side frame members I45 and I45 which are splined at I46 to the rock shafts 92 and I04, from which the rollers 90 and I02 swing. In this way, the remote ends of the hold-down or bearer devices may be raised and lowered so that the tapes MI and MI may be brought into bearing contact with the successive top sheets of the pile p.

Each of the hold-down devices it and k are partially counter bala-nced by means of the springs I41 which may be secured to portions of the framework Gr as at I43 and the other ends of which are connected as means of the strands I41; and I49 with one ide of the respective ends of the hold-down members it and 7c. The strands I42? and I49 may pass around guide pulleys $50 if necessary.

Means are provided for automatically raising and lowering the hold-down devices it and It as they are alternately employed in connection with the piling of the sheets upon the respective stacking areas. It will be understood that this lifting means is actuated in accordance with the timed or sequential operation of the machine and only the mechanical elements of the lifting means will be described at this point. Appropriately secured for pivotal movement upon the framework G are the fluid pre. ure cylinders I52 and I53. For example, the former may be pivoted as at I54 to a frame member i55 while the upper cylinder I53 may be pivoted as at Ibii to this member. Pistons work in the cylinders I52 and 53 and are respectively operatively connected as by means of the rods 55? and IE3 to the frames 54s and Mid of the respective hold-down devices it and 10. Upon the outside surface of one of the side frame members I45 and I45 of the holddown devices, there are provided outwardly proje'ctingtlugsu Hi having vertical: openings therein somewhat larger. than therods i575 and i523. The rods-pass through these openings are provided upon their. lower ends with stopcenlargement which maytake thesform. oi. the nnts its shown in: the illustrated embodiment. Thus a lostimotion connectionis provided which permits the? bearer or hold-down assembly 2' and: M3 torise gradually as the. pi es of. sheets areincreased, without:disturbingithe. rods iii and. 1158'. Then, when. the 'piles'have been completed; and thei'lifting meansactuated, the latter will pick up; the: appropriate bearer assembly from the point to whichxit has risen, and move it" to its upper limit.

As previously indicated, the weights of the holdedown. devices are only partly counter balanced'bythe springs i4? and, thus the'pistons within thescylinders Hi2 and ififi'are continually urged-downwardly. Fluid pressure for raising the pistons and thus: the "connected hold-down devices is admitted to the cylinders through the conduits: i592 and IE6. Valves i6iand 552' are interposed in these fluid pressure leads" and the valves-arerespectively actuated by means of the solenoids ifi-S and IE4;

It will be noited that the lifting or raising devices and. the counter-balancing springs are op erativelyconnected to on y one side of. each of thehold-down or bearer devices it and and in order to preventwarping or twisting-oi the struc ture and an uneven pressure-upon the piles, the framework is made exceptionally rigid; This is effected by the use ofrigid torque sustaining rock shafts at QZand intend the connecting of the side bars Mil and: M5. of: the bearer devices to the rock shaftrigidly by means oi the splines M5, allas previously described.

The tapes otthehold-downdevices h and 7c are driven by driving means which will be described in' connection with the descriptionoi the propulsion of the conveyor devices. It wi'ii be realized that the; bearing pressure of these devices uponthe. successive top sheets or" thepile will probably confine the movement of these sheets and also urge the sheets forwardly to their final position up against the stop device g.

Discard handling Occasionally during the piling of articles as received from the fabricating machine or the severing shear blades, defective articles will be encountered. For example, inthe art of manufacturing corrugated board there will occasionally appear what are known as "loose-backs, and it is desirable that such defective articles should be diverted from the paths toward the piling Zone 0'. As already indicated, this is the purpose and function of the discard conveyor system E which comprises the tape conveyors Z and n and the table F. The general arrangement and configuration of this discard conveyor system are clearly-shown in i i ure 1 of the drawings where it willbeperceived that the conveyor Z extends from a point adjacentthe intake of the upper piling area :i, forwardly to the point m where the discards'may be dropped upon the conveyor 12 and, thence transmitted to the point r to the table F. r

The manner and means of transferring sheets to this conveyor will be best understood fromv an inspection of Figures 4, 5, and Z of the drawings. The. tapes Z; comprising the earlier stage of the discard conveyor system E, pass around the idle roller iii? and thence to the driven roller ill at the forward end of the conveyor. The latter 1'2 7 roller is disposedin close proximity to thepivotal mounting of the upper hold-down device 7c adjacent the roller M21, and: is adapted to receive sheets from between theconveyorsd and -e when these conveyors' areraised from the normal positioir'shown in Figures-4' and 7-to a-n upper'position from which thesheets 5. may be discharged fronrtheconveyorsdand e upon'the upper run of the tapes Z of the discard conveyor as best shown in.- Figure 420i the drawings. The rods or struts 55 of the lower conveyor dare secured at their endsto the lowerend of the coil springv N5, the upper endof which is secured to-the bracket. I15 attached to the upper part of the framework G. This spring W5 servesto substantially counter,- balance the weight of the conveyors d and e..

Forv raising and lowering the conveyors soas to alternatively discharge thesheetstothe stack ing area? or the discard conveyor Z, the. remote end of the rod or bracket-35. of the-conveyor d ispivotally secured to the lower endtof the links H? the upper ends of which are pivoted tothe crankarms. are which are rigidly carriedby the cross: shaft Hi3 'pivotally mounted on brackets secured to the upper channel frame member i189. Atthe operators side of the machine there is secured upon thecross shaft We the crank arm 582. To. the end or" this crankarm' there is pivotallysecuredone end of thepiston rod l83'which at its other end carries a piston disposed for reciprocation within the fluid pressure cylinder I34, this cylinder being pivotally secured as at l85-cto a bracket its carried by' the frame member I80. Fluid pressure maybe admitted to the-respective ends of the cylinder iBvto ra-iseand lower the conveyor (1, e,by me'ans--of the pipe connections I8? "and tilt which lead from'the'control valve 189 which may be manipulated by the handle I953 whenever the'operator finds'it necessary to shift the conveyor (1-, e from the normal'position for delivering sheetsto the upper stacking i, to the upper discard'position'. in association with the conveyor Z.

The initial portion 1 or" the discard conveyor systemiE is driven by'the motor i955 carried by suitable brackets carried' upo'n the mainframe G. The pulleyiiifi of the motor is operatively connected' with the sheave or pulley l9? by means of the'belts 98? The pulley i9? iscarried by the drive shaft i519: which is mounted in suitable bearings and extends across theframe and carries the rollers 260 which serve to support the tapes. or belts l of the conveyor system E; The operation of the motor iis controlled by meanswhich will be described, said means being responsive to the shifting of the conveyors d, e to and from discard position.

Pile delivery As previously indicated, and as will behest perceived from an inspection of Figures 2 9, l0, and 12 the initial delivery conveyor system designated D is associated with the'staoking zone C of the unit I and is adapted to-receive piles-alternating from the areas f" and: :i'and discharge them at a. convenient level-for removal by an operator, regardless of the height of the. stacking areas. Abenchf-rameu supported by the legs or pedes tals'm extends laterally outwardly from. the main framework G-upon the delivery or operating side of the machine andthis supplemental framework it; :1: serves to rigidly support the lower delivery conveyor member it. At the outer end of the bench u there'is adjustably supported a roller 284 which carries the. conveyor tapes 285 which. are

13 also trained around the end roller 80 of the piling area f and receive their movement therefrom. In order to properly support the tapes 205 and prevent undue sagging, each tape is underlaid by the inverted channel elements 206 which are secured at their inner ends as at 26? to a bracket carried by the main frame; and these elements are suitably secured at their outer ends to the extension of the bench u.

From the upper stacking level 9' a conveyor t extends outwardly and comprises the framing 208 which is suitably pivoted as at 269 to the main frame. This framing carries in its outer end the roller 2 Hi around which the tapes 235 are trained, the inner portion of these tapes being passed around the end one of the rollers as and receive their driving force therefrom. This upper discharge conveyor t is pivotally mounted and is provided with balancing means whereby when no piles are resting thereupon, the conveyor t will be maintained in its upper position shown in solid lines in Figure 10, while upon receiving a pile from the upper level a the counter-balancing arrangement is overbalanced and the conveyor t moved downwardly to the position shown in dotted lines, wherein the discharge end is disposed at substantially the level of the lower conveyor t. This counter-balancing means comprises a torque sustaining rock shaft 252 rotatably mounted in brackets 72 l 3 carried by the posts or legs a: of the bench or extension frame u. Crank arms H5 are rigidly fixed upon each end of the shaft 2 l 2 as by means of the splines 2M and these crank arms are connected by means of the links 2 it with the points 2|! on the framing at the respective sides of the conveyor 75'. Upon an intermediate portion of the rock shaft 2 I 2 there is fixed the crank arm 2E3 upon which is carried a counterweight 220 which may be adjustable along the arm.

It will be readily seen that if the sheets forming the piles are of a length shorter than the maximum available length of the stacking area, the weight of the delivered pile will be sustained mainly by the side of the delivery conveyor member next to the initial or receiving end of the machine, that is upon the left hand side of the conveyor as viewed in Figure 12. This uneven loading of the delivery conveyor might warp the device if it were not for the above provisions. As described, the torque sustaining rock shaft 212 is of a rigid construction and the crank arms Zlii are splined as at 2 M to the shaft and connected without any lost motion to the conveyor frame.

In Figures 13 and 14 a modified construction of the delivery unit D is shown in which the upper delivery conveyor t is counter-balanced by a spring means rather than by means of a counterweight. All of the principal elements of the construction shown in these figures are the same as those shown in Figures and 12 and are designated by the same reference characters. How ever, the cross shaft M2 carried in the brackets 2l3 supported upon the legs a" of the bench or subframe it, has fixed thereon adjacent one side of the frame u, a crank M5, which extends in a generally upward direction and has attached at its upper end one end of the coil spring 225. The remote end of the spring is secured as at 2l9 to a part of the frame u. The strength of the spring 22!) is selected so as to somewhat more than counter-balance the upper conveyor 25 when it is empty, but to permit the conveyor to descend as soon as a pile has been moved onto it from the upper stacking area 9'.

'14 Driving transmission ,for distributing conveyors As already indicated, the stacking area rollers, and the discard conveyor system E are driven by individual electric motors 85, and W5 (See Figure 10) and the rollers and tapes of the delivery conveyors t and t are driven from one of the rollers 89, 89' of the stacking area which it serves. On the other hand, the tape conveyors and distributors by means of which the sheets are carried to the stacking areas, and the holddown devices which cooperate with the stop member in stacking the sheets, are all driven, in the preferred embodiment, from the shear or fabri eating machine which the stacker serves. The tapes of the conveyor a, as has been previously stated, are driven from the shear A or from the fabricating machine, these tapes being trained around the roller 33 which is fixed to the shaft 3?. This shaft 31 may be conveniently taken as a driving shaft for certain of the conveyors in its vicinity.

This particular driving arrangement will be clearly understood from an inspection of the left-hand portion of Figure 4 and the right-hand side of Figure 8, as well as Figure 3 in which the projecting parts of the drive shafts and the sheaves carried thereby are clearly shown. The shaft 3'] which carries the conveyor roller 33 carries upon its outer projecting end a pulley or sheave 225. The shaft 44 which carries the roller about which the lead end of the conveyor tapes of the conveyor 0 are trained has a projecting end upon which is fixed a pulley or sheave 22$. Similarly the shaft 5! upon which the roller of conveyor d is fixed, carries a pulley or sheave 22?. The roller 55 at the receiving end of the holddown conveyor e, is mounted on the shaft 5! which carries at its end a sheave 223. The shaft 39 which carries the pulley 38 which comprises part of the delivery end of the hold-down conveyor b, is also provided with a sheave or pulley 225. Also upon a cross member 23% extending between the posts 29 and 30 there is mounted a shaft 232 which carries an idler pulley 233. All of these pulleys 225, 22?, 22B, 223, and 233 are preferably provided with multiple grooves and carry a series of Vbelts 35 by means of which the drive is transmitted from the pulley 225 on the drive shaft 3! to the shafts which carry the tapes of the conveyors b, c, d, and e.

Similar driving means is provided for the rollers and hold-down device provided adjacent the piling areas. The remote or delivery end of the con-- veyor a includes the roller 22 about which the tapes are passed, which roller is fixed to a transverse shaft 23 carried in brackets 26' secured in posts 25 of the framework. The shaft 23 projects beyond the frame and is provided with a pulley or sheave 233. The shaft its upon which the roller M2 of the lower hold-down device is fixed, carries a sheave 2331-? upon its projecting end, and the shaft till which carries the delivery roller its adjacent the upper piling area is provided with a sheave 242. It will be recalled that the upper roller 542 of the hcld down device k is mounted upon a shaft Wt and this shaft is provided at its projecting end a sheave Upon the upper channel frame member it! forming a part of the framework G there is provided an axle f it upon which a sheave 2% is mounted and upon the horizontal frame element 27 and at an intermediate height of the framework there is mounted an axle 2 37 upon which is carried a sheave 248. Trained about the sheaves principal subdivisions of unit II have forth in a general way in reference to Figures cured by brackets upon opposite of ti posts 28, and return thence to the intake end 23B, 239, 2 19-, 2 32', 245, and 248 are the drive belts 25! whereby power is transmitted from the shaft 23, driven by the conveyor 0:, to both of the hold-down devices it and 7c and to the deiivery roller ltd.

Second stacking unit Mcst of the details of the stacking unit ll exactly the same as the corresponding elements of the unit particularly within the stacking zone C which comprises the alternately usuable stacking areas f and 7". However, the lead-in and distributing conveyors are somewhat dif ierently arranged constructed in order to provid the novel installation where'sthe two units 1 r id II are conveni ntly enclosed an ap ported within the same compact framework. The been set 1 and 2 or" the drawings, and the conveyors of unit II may be readily followed and traced across Figures 4, 5, and. 8 of the drawings. The sheets 8' as they are severed from the web by means of the shear A pass between the tapes of the lower and upper conveyors 'a' and b. The tapes a upon entering the portion of the i'uachine shown Figure 4 over the roller 2% supported by the pc ts 38 an thence around the roller supported secured to the posts 25. The return run of the tapes .2 passes around the rollers 1 e short the conveyor.

ed upon the shaft 2% which is suppo brackets secured to the posts so, a rol con this shaft takes the tapes at the entrance end of the conveyor. Struts or ext nd for-- wardly from the pivot shaft 2% and carry upon their forward ends the roller 2561111011 which the tapes are trained. 7

Now resuming the description of the path of the sheets through unit 11, it will be noted at the left hand end of Figure that the sheets pass from the tapes of conveyors a and in almost immediately between the cooperating conveyors a2 and At the intake end, the tapes of the conveyor a2 are trainedaround the roller 256 which also serves to support the discharge end of the conveyor (4. The tapes (:2 cooperate with the tapes D2 of the upper conveyor to receive the sheets and transport them to the distributing or switching device B. The tapes of the conveyor b2 pass around the roller 255 and the roller 2%, the former being carried upon the fixed shaft 2%? and the latter upon the end of the struts or rods 263 forming the framework of this holddown conveyor. The cross shaft 253 is mounted in bearings suitably supported by portions of the framework G which may include the plate Elli.

The tapes a2 pass around the supporting roller 2' and then in opposite directions around the rollers 1272 and H3, these rollers being located adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor b2 and serving to guide the tape a2 around the switching or distributing blades of the distributing assembly B. The tapes a2 then pass over the roller H5 and thence to the discharge end of the conveyor a2 which is indicated at 216 in Figure '1. The lower or return run of the conveyor tapes a2 pass beneath the roller 2?! and above the roller 218 both carried by brackets supported upon the lower horizontal member 219 of the framework G.

The switching or distributing blades of the,

device B are indicated at 52 and 53' and are actuated in the same way and by a similar mocha anism to those associated with theblades 52 and 53 of the unit I. When the blades are in the lowermost position the sheets are directed to the throat of the conveyor system comprised by the second half of the conveyor a2 and the upper or hold-down conveyor b3. The conveyor b3; a part of which is shown at the right hand end of Figure 5 includes the struts or bars 288 and a roller 28I carried by the ends thereof, and it will be readily seen how the sheets pass between the tapes a2 and b3 and are carried toward the cle livery point upon the lower stacking area f.

When the distributor blades 52' and 53 arecin the upper position shown in Figure 5 the sheets .9 are directed between the lower conveyor d! and the upper conveyor e from whence they aredischarged upon the stacking area 7". Conveyor d has its tapes pass around the roller 283 and a forward. roller 284 which is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. This conveyor is disposed in a relatively fixed or non-pivotal position. The cooperating hold-down conveyor e has its tapes pass around a roller 235 at the discharge end, this roller being mounted upon a pivot shaft 2% carried by bracket 28? supported upon the post l3il. Extending from the pivot shaft 286 are the struts or rods 288 which carry a roller 289 upon their ends. Thus it will be seen that the conveyor e may be raised by a pivotal movement about the shaft 286 whenever it is necessary to separate the conveyors d and e.

An inspection of Figure 1 of the drawings will disclose that the sheets, in their upper path through the unit II pass from between the conveyors d and e into the control of the co0perating conveyors (Z2 and e2. These conveyors correspond in purpose and function to the conveyors d and e of unit I and are adapted to be raised from their normal position in which they deliver sheets to the stacking area 7" to an upper discard position for delivering sheets upon the element n of the discard system E. 7 To effect this purpose pneumatic lifting means indicated generally at 290 is employed. This pneumatic means corresponds exactly to the device described in connection with raising conveyors d and c, and embodying the air cylinder I84 (see Figure 4). i

'As previously indicated, the distribution of the sheets 5' upon the stacking areas and a" is exactly the same as that described in connection with unit I of the device. The rollers of these stacking areas f and y" are driven by motors controlled in the same way as in the first unit and they deliver the completed stacks or piles transversely onto the delivery installation D. Due to the fact that the stacking areas 1' and 9" are displaced downwardly relatively to the stacking areas 1 andgi of the first unit, the conveyors comprising the discharge system D are inclined upwardly in the direction of the discharge as clearly shown in Figure 15 of the drawings. In this figure there is shown at we one of the vertical side posts of the framework G and extending from the framework G is a bench or subframe it which is supported at its outer end by the post as. An upper horizontal brace is indicated at 3st. The rollers 3d of the stacking area conveyor deliver the sheets upon the inclined discharge conveyor 3 the tapes 2535 of which are trained around. an end one of the rollers 85 and around the terminal roller 3% carried upon the end of the bench frame u. The piles from the upper area i are'shifted transversely by the driven rollers 89' onto the are attached the counter-weights 306 which serve to slightly balance the weight of the conveyor .2 when empty. When piles of sheets are delivered upon the conveyor 2 the weight of the pile will move the conveyor downwardly against the iniiuence of the weights 306 whereupon the conveyor will occupy the dotted line position shown in Figure 15 and the sheets will be delivered at substantially the same level as the delivery point of the roller conveyor :1; and of the delivery points of the conveyors t and i" of the system D of the first unit.

Automatic and manual control The operation of the improved stacking machine will now be described, particularly in relation to Figure 16 of the drawings in which the principal operative parts of the device are shown diagrammatically together with the fluid pressure lines and the electrical wiring.

It will be helpful in understanding the details 52 and 53 of distributor device B to direct the.

sheets toward the other stacking area. At the same time the counting device begins counting the sheets passing to the second area.

The shifting of the distributor blades not only serves to direct the sheets, toward the alternative area, but also prepares a circuit for energization to raise the hold-down members upon the opposite stacking area to an inoperative position. The completion of this circuit is accomplished by the dropping of the first sheet upon the new area. At the same time that this circuit is prepared for energization, the circuit which heretofore had held the hold-down devices in idle posi-l tion within the area now to be used, is broken and the hold-down devices move downwardly to operative position upon the pile being formed.

The effect of the lifting of either one of the hold-down devices to the upper idle position is to close an electrical circuit energizing the rollerdriving motor of the stacking area upon which a pile has just been completed, and thus move the pile transversely of the machine toward one of the delivery installations. Conversely, while stacking is proceeding upon a stacking area the hold-down devices are depressed and the motor energizing circuit is open.

A further circuit is provided for energizing the discard conveyor motor whenever the manually controlled pneumatically operated lifting devices for the conveyors d, e are actuated toward discarding position. The raising of the conveyors d; e to discarding position also has the effect of interrupting the impulse generating circuit so that the passage of successive sheets will not acis tuate the counting devices so long as the conveyors are held in discarding position.

There will now be described the electrical circuits and mechanical devices involved in the shifting of the distributor B. The sheet counting and distributor control circuit may be designated in its entirety by the reference letter P and the circuit which energizes the impulse generating device may be designated R. In the preferred form of the invention this device comprises an electric eye arrangement whereby a lamp directs a beam across the path of the sheets toward a photoelectric cell and the successive interruptions of the beam by the passage of the sheets causes impulses to be generated in the latter member.

In circuit P the leads from the source of current are designated L and L2. Two electrically actuated counting mechanisms are provided and are indicated by the legends Counter No. l and Counter No. 2 in Figure 16. These counters are of the type designated Microfiex Instantaneous Reset Counter illustrated and described in Booklet 297 of the Eagle Signal Corp. of Moline, Illinois. Counter No. 2 is shown partly in elevation, exhibiting a setting dial 400 by which the number of sheets to be allotted to each pile is predetermined. Counter No. 1 is shown in diagrammatic form with the internal electrical. circuits disclosed. Both counters are exactly alike and a description of one will sufiice. The reference numeral 40! indicates a clutch coil and a count coil is shown at 402. A switch associated with the clutch coil is indicated at 403 and another switch adapted to be actuated by the clutch coil is shown at 404. The counting devices are generally provided with two switches similar in purpose and construction to the one indicated at 404 and this is shown at 405 but is not used in the present hookup.

A series of terminals are provided on each counter and are designated by the following refer ence numeraIs: 4H], 4H, M2, M3, M4, M5, and M6. It will be seen that the clutch coil 40| bridges the contacts M0 and M2; the count coil 402 bridges the contacts M0 and M4; the switch 403 is disposed across the terminals 4 and M3; the terminals M3 and M4 are bridged by a con-;. nection within the counter; and switch 404 is disposed across the terminals 5 and M6. The wires L and L2 from the source of current are connected into the devices as follows: the line L is connected with the terminals 4|0 of both counters; and line L2 is connected with the terminals 415 of both counters.

A lamp which casts a beam across the path of the sheets immediately in advance of the 'distributor B is indicated at 420, the beam being directed toward the photoelectric cell 42! which may be contained within a suitable casing 422. Lines L and L2 from the source of current are connected to the binding posts 424 of the casing 422 and a pair of binding posts 425 are also connected within the casing across the current lines from L and L2 and provide a source of current for the lamp 420. A wire 426 connects one of the binding posts with the lamp; another wire 42'! is connected with a mercoid switch 428; and the other terminal of the mercoid switch is connected by means of the wire 420 to the other lamp terminal. The mercoid switch 428 is pivotally connected as at 430 with a portion of the framework G, and the switch is connected at its other end by means of a link 432 with the tiltable discard conveyor assembly d, e. Thus, it will be seen that when the conveyor d, e is in the lower ,U-normal position delivering sheetsto the stacking areas'j, the mercoidswitchcontact is closed and ,thelamp 420 energized, in which condition the .count may proceed'by the interruption of the beamby the passage of thesheets from conveyors La la to the distributor B. :On the other hand,

when the conveyor d, eis raised to discard ,posi- 'tionby means of theifluid pressuredevice con- ".ttolled by the hand valve ['89, I90, the mercoid switch is tilted, the circuit R broken and the lamp file-energized thus interrupting the count.

".The photoelectric cell 42! is connected with 'the source of current from the leads .L and '1L2 Lhy suitable arrangement within the casing T422 so that each impulse received thereby will energize a relay coil 435 and this coil will actu- -at e :theswitch 336, this witch being connected within the casing 422 across the terminals 431 -.and-t38. A wire 539 connects the-terminal 431 with the line :-L2 while a wired connects the terminal 338 with the terminals 411 of .both counters. V

-'-lhere is indicated at 445 a relay device which may .be a; Struthers Dunn (relay which is adapted ,toalternateiy open and close each one of a pair of switches upon successive energizations of the .relay magnet. The magnet is indicated at 445 rand- 1s connected across the binding ,posts 447 ,andtlit. relay is indicated at-45ii and :the other .at 4151. ;A common lead it: connects one :side of each One of the alternate switches of the switch with the terminals 415 of the ,counters which are-in turn connected with the line wire =L2. :A lead ifi l-conhects'the =other side vof switch 456 with a wire i'55 leading from the terminal 412 of counterlNolrl andrbothlof :these'wires are iconnected by means of the wire 456 with :one terminal f the solenoid Jll "whichuactuates the valve 6d which controls the air cylinder lil so as to move :the distributor blades =52, :53 of the distributor B downwardly.

The opposite terminalsof switch J35! ':of the irelay is connectedbymeans of thewire 458-110 -the -terminal 312 of counter :No. 2 and to :one ,post of .the solenoid .lii which actuates the pneu- ;matic'imechanism -.to raise the blades 52, -53-=0f the distributor vB. 1A return wire 460 connects atheotner ztWO terminals of the solenoids illand -l l 'with the lead wire L. V The terminal d' W- of the relay coil 446 *is -con' mect'ed with a portion'of the line circuit 11''; con- *veniently the part which bridges across the "terminals Mil of the "two counters. The terminal 448 of the relay coil is connected with the .ter-

"minals "4H5 of "both counters by means .or the 7 Wire 462. 7

IA manually operable switch 465 is disposed ad acent the counter and relayinstallation and is connectedacross the terminals ll-5 and H6 10f counter No. 1, the lead from the switch :..to terminal 1315 being connected withthe common rreturn wire 452 of the alternate relay-switches.

The counters illustrated herein are of the well-known type-referred to in=which the count coil is T energized by received impulses "to step emovable member, for example a ratchet wheel,

around for a :certain' predetermined number of increments, whereupon the counting mechanism will release the clutch coil and momentarily :close theswitch 404. Assumingthe switch 403 .of-counter No. lto be closed, the clutchacircuitmay be traced as .follows: line -,L,-=terminal 11411] of counter iNo. -|,clutch"icoil" 40l, terminal- 41.2,

"thence to stacking area 9.

wire 455, wire '454,relay switch450, wire-4 52,

terminal M5 of counter No. 1,1ead wire L2.

'The clutch switch 403 of counter :No. 1 his maintainedclosed by the :clutchcoil, and the impulses from the photoelectric cell due to the passageof successive sheets, actuates the counter =coil through the following circuit: line circuit L2, wire 439, terminal 43.1, impulse switch 4%,, terminal 438, wire 440, terminal 4 H of coun- -ter No. 1, switch 4630f the same-counter, terminal H3, terminal ll4 by way of the-internal crossconnection, count coil 402, terminal H0, line wire :L.

When successive impulses have steppedvthe counter around until the clutch is released :at the -;end of the predetermined count, switchNo.

"404101" counter No. lis :momentarilyclosed. 'This :causes current tolflow through :the following icircuit: line .L-2, terminal 4-l5,=switch 4M of-.oounter'No. 1 terminal MB of counter No. -'1,terminal 448 of the relay coil, relay coil 4136,:terminal 441, line wire .L' The energization of relay coil 446', thus effected, serves to open switch 450 and close switch 451. The effect-of this switchover is to des-energize the line :leading to solenoid :H and-to energize the following circuit: line-wire 122, terminal '4 i 5 of counter No. 1; wire 4'52, 'switch wire 458, solenoid 70, return lead 4'68, line wire L. Thisse'rvesto energize solenoid'lll, and

actuate the valve 64 to raise the blades 52, 53

of the distributor'Bto the position where they will discharge sheets into conveyors the and When switch 459 was interrupted the circuit through'the solenoid H 'was also broken and that solenoid de-energized.

-At-the same time thatswit'ch 45'l"is -closed the following circuit is'energized-shifting the "count N0. 2, terminal 41 0, line wire L.

to counterNo. 2: lineLLterminal 415 of coun- -ter"N0. lgwire l52, switch 45! wire-458, terminal H2 of counter No. 2, clutch coil 10i *of counter This "energize.- "tion of clutch 40! ofcounter No.'2 sets thatcounter'into operation 'and impulses from sheets being fed to the -dis'tr'ibutors -B in upper position are "impressed "uponcounter No. 2-in thesame way as described in connection with the operation of counter N0. '1. At-theend of the count, switch tilt of counter No. '2 is momentarily, energized andthe relay=445 is reversed and distributor sole- :noid ll-re-energized-as solenoid isthrown out "of operation. 7

=Once the distribution of sheets has been shifted from one area "to the other, the hold- 'down arrangements hand lcmustbe shifted over so as to free the-completedipile and to lbring'the appropriate holdhtlowninto operation uponithe pile-about to be built'up. This shiftover isac- "complished '-by -'the-' following means. When the blades 52] and *53 of distributor 'B] are moved'to 'upper position 'bythe raising of the piston rodiill and the depending connection 58, "the contact arm 72 opens the limit'switch l5 and energizes the lim'itswitchl'. This de-energizes circuit S 4152 which raises'the pistcn rod [El-and thuslifts 

